Netflix's lavish period drama Bridgerton has found itself at the centre of another historical accuracy debate, after sharp-eyed fans spotted a distinctly modern accessory in the show's fourth season.
An Anachronistic Band-Aid
Viewers have called out the show's editing team for failing to catch a small, flesh-coloured Band-Aid visible on the ear of actress Katie Leung, who portrays the character Lady Araminta. The adhesive strip appears during certain scenes, presumably left on the actor by accident to cover a cartilage piercing. This detail has sparked considerable discussion on social media platforms, with many noting that the Band-Aid, as we know it, was not invented until 1920—over a century after the show's early 19th-century Regency setting.
Social Media Scrutiny
The discovery was widely shared on platforms like TikTok, where fans dissected the costume detail. One user speculated, "It's a cover-up for an ear piercing," while another suggested, "Yeah, I wish they had covered it better—like put a fancy ear cuff up there or something." The original poster of the observation responded, noting that the Band-Aid wasn't present in other scenes, suggesting it may have been a simple oversight during filming takes. They added, "I am obsessed with the outfits so of course I'm analysing every detail."
A Pattern of Inaccuracies
This incident is not the first time Bridgerton has faced criticism for straying from historical authenticity. Commenters on the post pointed out that the show has previously utilised fake eyelashes and modern nail styles. One person remarked, "Guys it's Bridgerton. It's not supposed to be historically accurate," highlighting the show's known creative liberties with the period.
However, the debate has also drawn criticism towards the viewers themselves. Some have questioned the scrutiny, with one writing, "I don't get why anyone cares about this stuff tbh. It's very subtle and Bridgerton clearly doesn't care about historical accuracy. People in the comments complaining about seeing piercing holes the actors have are wild. They have lives outside of their roles." Another added, "Y'all need to learn to just watch and move on. It's not that serious. I didn't even notice something so small."
Netflix's History of Oversights
This editing mistake follows a similar pattern for Netflix. When the fifth and final season of Stranger Things was released in December, viewers complained about spotting an Under Armour logo on a character's shirt in a scene set in 1987—nine years before the sportswear brand was founded. A week after that volume's release, Netflix quietly removed the anachronistic logo from the scene, demonstrating a reactive approach to such fan-spotted errors.
As of now, Netflix has not immediately returned requests for comment regarding the Bridgerton Band-Aid blunder. The incident underscores the intense scrutiny that major streaming productions face from dedicated fanbases, who often analyse every frame for inconsistencies, whether historical or otherwise.
